Machine for felling trees.



J. E. WISE. MACHINE FOR FELLING TREES.

3 SHEETS-BEBE Patented May 10, 1910.

APPLICATION IlLED JUNE 3, 1909.

J E. WISE.

MACHINE FOR FELLING TREES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1909 Patenteq May 10, 1910.

3 SHEETS-431M111 2.

J. E. WISE.

MACHINE FOR FELLING- TREES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1909.

95?,832, Patented May 10, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' W1 mm 7 WI/II/IIIIII/I/III\/IIIII/I vw 1 5 I I I .forwardly at 2, 3 for carrying the clamp JAMES E. -WISE, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE ron rELLme TREES.

Application filed June 3, 1909. Serial 1 10. 499,897.

To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, JAMES E. VVrsn, a resident of Butler, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Felling Trees, of which the fol-- lowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is'to provide a portable motor driven machine for telling trees, and subseqlientlv cutting theln"ii'ito lengths, as required. This work is usually done with manually operated saws and is very laborious, so much so that it is frequently difficult in lumber camps to induce men to keep at it forany length'of time.

I am not aware that prior to my invention a practical 'motor driven machine has been proposed, a machine possessin the necessary qualities of portability an adjustment requisite for varying conditions, and ready manipulation. These essentials have been borne in 'mind in designing the present machine, and the same is believed to mect'a-ll practical requirements.

In the accoi'npanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan of the improved machine. Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of the table and driving gearing. Fig. 3 is a detail of the ratchet mechanism for turning the table. and Fig. l is a section of the same. Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the ram guides carried by the table. Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the ground wheels and the axle-carr ving bar for connecting with the frame. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are details of theauljustable connections of the tree-engaging dogs with the frame. Figs, 1O, 11 12 and 13 are details of the connection between the saw and ram.

Referring to the drawings, 2' and 3 designate the side members of a rectangular frame, and 4 and 5 the front and rear transverse membcrs, all of said members being formed preferably of angle iron and seen rely riveted together. Members 2 and 3 project devices which secure the tree-connecting dogs 6, as will presently be described. An extension ofithe frame rearward from bar 5, I1provides space for engine 7, a ga-solene ta 8, and batteries 9. Handle bar 10 may be projected; from this frame extension for moving the machine from place to place like r8, ,ush cart. "at

he ground wheels at either side of Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented May 10,1910.

the frame have their axles 12 projecting from the vertical dovetail bars 13 adjustable in clamps 141011 frame bars 2 and 3. By this means the frame may be leveled however irregular the ground, either wheel be- 60.

ing adjusted upward or downward, as rc quired. The machine is thus adapted for operating 'on the side of a. hill as well as on level ground.

lVithin the portion of the frame inclosed by bars 2, 3,4 and 5 is a table 15 provided with segmental projections 16 which rest and turn on the frame. bars, being held in place by stops 17.

18 is the saw connected by clamp 19 with the forward end of ram-forming bar 20.

This bar reciprocates in guides 21 carried by table 15, the guides having slight spring opposed lateral movement for the purpose I I hereinafter described.

Ram 20 is formed with cross-head 22 and operating therein is wrist or crank 23 of gear wheel 24. This wheel has its bearing 25 in the center of table 15, and its periphery is' toothed to mesh with worm 26 on drive shaft. 27 of engine 7, said shaft being mount-- ed in brackets 28, projecting from frame bar 2. From the foregoing it will be understood that the rotation of wheel 24 through the mediuuroi shaft 27 transmits reciprorating motion through wrist 23 and cross.

head to ram 20and the saw.

lhe mechanism for moving the saw lat.-

erally and therebydiolding it toits work when felling a tree, as in Fig. 1, will now be described. Two of table segments 16 are connected by the curved rack30 and meshing thcicwit'h is pinion 31. Aboverthis inion and turning therewith 1S ratchet w tool 32, said wheel 'and'ratchetbeing mounted on spindle 33 journaled in bracket 34' projecting from frame bar 3. 35 is an arm which swings loosely on spindle 33 and carries the beveled spring-dog 36 which engages ratchet 32. A rod 37 extends forwardly from arm '100 and through eye 22 on one extremity of cross-head 22. Carried by rod 37 are stops 38 and 38' which are engaged by the crosshead as thelattcr approaches the forward and backward limitsof its stroke, and are ing movement to ta le 15, while" the move- The saw operating mechanism is thus caused chine in operative position with relation to the saw is-operating' in a reverse direction,

ment in the opposite direction is idle-and simply serves to give dog'36 a new hold.

to automatically turn table 15 step b step and thereby feed the saw to the work. en

the feed may be'reversedby simplfy retracting cap 39 carried by the stem 0 the dog, the latter being held in either position required by pin 40 engaging one or the-other of cavities 40 in arm 35. Between the intermittent movements above described the mechanism is held fixed by springdo 41 secured to, the frame, said dog being 0 the same construction as dog 36 and reversible in the same manner for either right or lefthand work.

Each of the ram guides 21 is movable laterally within a slot 42 on table 15, the guide being held in place by bottom plate 43, and the movement in either direction being opposed by one or the other of springs 44 confined within the, slot. This compensation revents injury to the saw in case the feed, l

is too rapid or whenever any other condition may arise which would result in breaking either the saw or-other partsof the mechanism in the absence of such yielding movement.

DogsGiare provided for holding the ma-' the tree the spiked ends of the dogs being driven into opposite sides thereof, as shown. The clamps which secure the dogs to the frame are of ball'and socket form, each consisting of a two-part socket 45, 45, secured by bolt 46 to frame extension 2' or 3, as

the case may be. Turning. on each of these bolts is an arm 47, and this arm and socket member 45 are formed with cotiperating cam faces 48, so thatwhen the arm is turned in one direction the socket parts are loosened and when turned in the opposite direction said parts are tightened or closed together. Operative within the socket is the two-part ball-member 49, the parts recessed on their adjacent faces to receive the extremity of dog 6, with spring 50 confined within cavities in the ad acent faces which resist movement. of the ball members toward each other and operate to spread apart the socket members -when the cam faces 48 are turned to permit of such movement. After the dogs have been fastened to the tree and their angular relation with the frame determined, the necessary range of adjustment being afforded by the ball and socket joints, the clamps are tightlyelosed by the turning'of arms ,47, thereby securely confining the extremities'of the dogs; Arms 47 may be connected by link 51, and this link may in turn be connected with a rod 52- extending to the rear ofthe machine and operated by handle 53. This means for simu taneously o erating the clamps is particularly desira le in affording a quick release of the machine when necessary to clear it from a falling tree. In such emergency, handle 53 may be operated to loosen the clamps for both dogs so that the clam s and themachine may be withdrawn, leaving the dogs fast to the tree trunk.

Shank 55 of saw 18' is formed with a cross-shaped head, providing trunnions 56 and 57 disposed at right angles to each other, and with their axial centers outof line, so that trunnion 5.7 is offset slightly fromtrunnion 56. Clamp 19 consists of a lower part 58 secured to and projected forward from ram 20, with the pro]ecting ortion bifurcated to form a vertical opening extending inwardly, as indicated at 59, and with the upper faces of the bifurcated parts formed with rounded depressions 59. The upper part'GO of the clamp is secured by bo t- 61, and when the bolt is loosened is adapted to slip back over the extremity of the ram. The extended portion -62 of memgen ()0 is bifurcated and on its under face shaped complementary with member Thus, the two members operate to secure either trunnion, 5601 57, with the other trunnion" located inithe-bifurcations of the clam parts'fi- 1 1th the-saw in horizontal position for 'sawingdown trees, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 10,

triinnion 56 is confined between the clamp members and otfset trunnion 57 bearing against the rear of. the bifurcations. The saw is thus immovablyheld and is rigid with the ram.

\Vith the saw arranged i to make a vertical cut, as in Fig. 12, for sawing fallen trees, etc. trunnion 57 is confined within the clamp, and the slightly forward position of trunnion 56 permits the saw slight vertical swing, suflicient to permit it. to follow downward through the cut. The clamp and the double-trunnioned shankhead combine to securely hold the saw for either horizontal or vertical cutting, and the machine is thus adapted for both classesof work. It will of course be understood that dog arms 6 may be turned in their sockets as required for either sawing osition.

A machine thus constructed every adjustment and manipulation necessary for a motor-driven tree-sawing mech-' anism. It is readily portable, and the adjustable ground wheels provide for leveling the mechanism on uneven ground.

I claim r 1. In apo'rtable tree sawing machine, the combination of a frame, ground wheels at opposite sides of the frame, tree 'enga ing dogs projecting forwardly from the rent on o the frame, a motor mounted on the rear end of the frame, a table movable horizontally on the frame between the ground wheels, guides on thetable, a ram provides for wheel journaled on the table, a ram mounted to reciprocate on the table, a saw secured to the ram, an operative connection between the power transmitting wheel andthe ram,

power-means for driving said wheel, and table moving means. v 3. In a tree sawing machine, the combination of a frame, a table mounted in the frame on a vertical axis, a power transmitting wheel mounted on the table on a vertical axis coincident with the table axis, a ram mounted to reciprocate on the table, a crosshead and wrist-pin connection between the ram and said wheel, a saw secured to the ram, means for driving said wheel, and table turning means. 4. In a portable tree sawing machine, the combination of a horizontal frame, ground wheels at opposite sides of the frame, a horizontal table rotatably mounted on the frame between the ground wheels, a horizontal gear wheel having its axis coincident. with the table axis, a motor mounted on theframe, a power shaft extending from the anotor and geared to sald gear wheel, a ram mounted to reciprocate on the table, a cross- 15 head and wrist-pin connection between ,the I I ram and said gear wheel, a saw secured to.

the ram, and table turning means.

A sawing machine comprising a frame, a table rotatable therein. mechanism for im- 40 parting a step by step rotary movement to the table, a saw, a saw actuating member mounted to reciprocate on the table, and means for reciprocating said member.

. (3. A sawing machine comprising a frame,

a table rotatable therein, a saw, a saw actuating member mounted to reciprocate on the table, means for -reciprocating said member, and mechanism,actuated by the reciprocating member for imparting a step by step rotary movement to the table.

7. In a sawing machine, a saw, a saw reciprocating member, mechanism for moving said member laterally as the work'progresses, and a yielding connection between the laterally movable, mechanism and the saw reciprocating member.

8. In a tree sawing machine, the combination of a frame, a table movable horizontally therein, table moving means, a rain,

guides movably mounted on the table in which the ram rcciprocates, springs opposing movement of the guides relatively to the table, asaw secured to the ram,ram actuating means, and table moving means.

9. A sawing machine comprising a porteo7,ea2 8 able frame, a table mounted to turn therein,

a saw, a ram secured to thesaw, laterally movable cushioned guides on the table in mounted on the frame and geared to the driving wheel, a saw, a ram 'connected to the saw and mounted to reciprocate (in the table, the ram having a cross-head, a crank connection between the driving wheel and the cross-head,a.nd means actuated 'by the ram for turning thetable within the frame.

11. A sawing machine comprising a frame, a table rotatable therein, a rack car-. ried by the tablefa reciprocating member 5 ha-vin a.reversible ratchet connection with, the table whereby a step by step movement in either direction may be imparted to'the latter, a reversible saw, and a saw actuating member mounted to reciprocate on the table. .90

12. A sawing, machine comprising a frame, a table mounted toturn within the frame, a saw, a saw actuating member mounted to reciprocate on the table, a motor mounted in the frame, gearing connectingthe motor and the saw reciprocating mem: ber, ratchet mechanism for impartin a step by step movement to the table, ant means actuated by the motor for operating the ratchet mechanism. a a

13'. In a tree sawing machine, the combination of a frame, a table rotatable therein on a horizontal axis, ratchet mechanism for turning the table step by step, a rammouuted to reciprocate on the table, a saw secured to the ram, and means actuated by the ram for operating the ratchet mech-f e ,anism.

14. In a sawing machine, a frame, atable having segmental peripheral projections bearing in the frame, a saw, saw reciprocatmg member mounted to reciprocate on the table, a motor, gearing connecting the motor and the saw-reciprocating member, and mechanism actuated by the motor for imparting intermittent movement to the table.

15. In a portable tree sawing machine, the combination of a horizontal frame, two ground wheels-one at each side of the frame, vertically adjustable means for securingeach wheel to the frame, a tablejmovable horizontally in the frame, a ram mounted to reciprocate -on the table, ram reciproeating means, and table moving means.

16. In a sawing machine, 'a frame, a table rotatable in the frame, means for rotating the table, a ram slidably mounted on the table, a gear wheel concentric with the table and provided with a crank, a cross-head carried by the ram and recessed longitudinally frame, a saw, saw actuating mechanism to receive :said crank, -a 1 saw secured" to the ram, and-means for'rotating' the gear wheel:

17. In a tree sawing machine, the com bination of a portable frame, a saw, saw actuating means mounted on the frame, tree engaging dogs extending from the frame, clamps on the frame'removably holding the dogs, and operating means connected to both clamps for operating them simultaneouslyto release the dogs. 18. In a sawing machine, a' portable mounted in the frame, tree engaging dogs, clamps for securing the :dogs to the frame with the dogs free to separate therefrom when the clamps are released, and clamp actuating means mounted on the frame, whereby when the clamps are released the frame and sawmay be removed from a tree with the dogs remaining fast to the latter.

19. The combination of the frame of-a sawing machine, atwo-part spherical clamp secured to the frame with means for drawing the parts to ether, two semispherical members within t e clamp and recessed to embrace the shank of a tree engagin dog,"

and a dog havin its shank removab ly entered between said semispherical members. 20. The combination of theframe of sawing machine, a two-part spherical clamp secured to the frame with means for drawing the parts together, two semispherical members rotatable within the clamp and recessed to receive the shank of a tree engage" ing dog, springs for opposing movement of the semispherical members toward each. other, and a dog having its shank entered be-' tween said members and removably secured by contraction of the clamp paits.

'2 1.-'In'a tree sawing machine, the com- "bination of a ram, ram reciprocating means,

a clamp adapted to open and close and having vertical 'andhorizontal intersecting assageways, a saw, and a cross-shaped hea secured to tliesaw' with the arms thereof fitting the clamp passageways interchangeably; "2 2. In a sawing machine a ram, means for reciprocatin the ram, a clamp secured to the ram an consisting of two parts wit-ha clampin space therebetween, the clamp p'arts bi rcated to form a space intersecting the clamping space a saw, and trunnions secured to the saw and disposed at right an-' gles to each other, whereby either trunnion mayfbe secured in the clamping space with the other trunnion in the space formed by the bifurcation;

23. In a. sawing machine, a ram, means for reciprocating the ruin, a clamp secured to the ram and consisting of two parts one above the other with a-clamping space there-- iircated to form between, the clamp parts bi awertical space intersecting the clamping space" a saw, trunnions secured to the saw and disposedat right angles to each other with one trunnion offset from the other trunnion, for the-purpose described, wheres either trunnion may lagsecured i -the A; A e a:

nping space, with the other .trnnnibn in the'space formed by the bifurcation.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

JAMES WISE.

Witnesses CHAs. A. MQELRA "VILLIAM WALKER. 

